Rural-mail-distributing bag



1 l'u MITO@ ttoznuy PATENTED SEPT. 20, 1904.

W. GORPMAN. RURAL MAIL DISTRIBUTING BAG.

APPLICATION FILED 00T. 12, 1903.

NO MODEL.

Patented September 20, 1904.

PATENT OFFICE.Y

WILLIAM OORFMAN, OF SYOAMORE, OHIO.

RURAL-NlAlL-DISTRIBUTING BAG.

y SPECIFICATION forming partof Letters Patent No. 770,354, dated September 20, 1904,

Application lhed October 12, 1903. Serial No. 176,625. (No model.) I

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, WILLIAM OORFMAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Sycamore, in the county of Wyandot and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Rural-Mail-Distributing Bags; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to improvements in means for sorting and distributing mail-matter, and is particularly designed for use by rural-free-delivery carriers.

The object is to provide a device of this character that is simple, capable of being readily and cheaply manufactured, and constitutes convenient means into which mail may be sorted by the carrier and from which said mail can afterward be distributed without becoming mixed or delivered to the wrong addressee.

The preferred embodiment of the inventionl is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein- Figure l is a front elevation of the device. Fig. 2 is avertical longitudinal sectional view on an enlarged scale through a portion of the same. Fig. 3 is a horizontal sectional view.

Similar reference-numerals indicate corresponding parts in all the figures of the drawings.

In the embodiment illustrated a backingsheet 4 is employed, which is preferably formed of duck. canvas, or other suitable flexible material. Upon one face of this sheet are arranged transverse strips 5, that extend completely across the same. These strips are located substantially edge to edge and their end margins are secured to the upright margins of the backing-sheet by lines of stitching, as 7, said margins being preferably reinforced with binding-tape 8. The lower edge of each Double lines of stitching 11 extend longitudinally of the backing-sheet and across the strips; also through the same. These lines of stitching are preferably spaced equal distances apart, and consequently subdivide the spaces between the strips 5 and backing-sheet 4 into a plurality of rows of pockets 12 of equal size, the mouths of one row being located at the bottoms of the adjacent row above. Each pocket is intended to hold the mail-matter for one of the patrons of the route and is preferably. designated by means of a slip, as 13, sewed thereupon contiguous to its mouth, the slips having printed or otherwise marked upon them the said names of the patrons. The names are arranged in the order in which the mail is to be distributed. Suitable hanger-eyes, as 14, are secured to the upper corners of the device and preferably comprise rings secured to the corners by flexible strips.

In sorting the mail anumber of the holders above described are arranged in convenient relation to the operator, being suspended by suitable means, whereupon the mail to be delivered to the different persons along the route can be readily inserted in the pockets. After having been sorted the holders are suspended within the vehicle, with the first to be used outermost. After the said first holder has been emptied by the distribution of mail therefrom it is removed, leaving the second exposed, and so on until the entire route has been covered.

Itwill be evident that the device as thus constructed is very convenient, as the pockets for the patrons are properly arranged so that the mail can be readily sorted and afterward as readily delivered. In this-connection it is desired to call attention to the fact that the mouths of the pockets are disposed at the lower ends of the adjacent upper row, and thus considerable space is left above said mouths, so that long papers and other matter will not cover the names upon the rows of pockets above. Furthermore, While the device is thoroughly reinforced at its points of greatest wear it is capable of being cheaply manufactured, and when not in use can be compactly folded, so as to occupy comparatively little space.

IOO

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a mail-holder, the combination with a backing-sheet, of a plurality of strips extending along the front face or' the sheet and secured thereto at their lower sides and end edges, and spaced lines of fastening means extending longitudinally of the sheet and across the strips, forming rows of pockets for the reception of mail-matter.

2. In a mail-holder, the combination with a backing-sheet, of a plurality of strips extending across the front face of the sheet and having their edges located directly adjacent to one another, lines of stitching securing the lower edges of the strips to the backing-sheet,

. leaving the upper edges free, and vertical lines of stitching passing through the backing-sheet and strips across the latter at -separated points, forming rows of pockets, the upper mouths of which are located at the bottoms of the pockets above.

In testimony whereof I aiiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

WILLIAM CORFMAN.

Witnesses:

HORACE LITTLE, RUFUS R. KURTZ. 

